More than 100 firefighters tackle large fire at thatched cottages
The fire began in the roof of the cottages in Bransbury, Hampshire
More than 100 firefighters have tackled a large fire in a row of thatched cottages near Andover.
The blaze broke out at The Barracks in Bransbury on Sunday afternoon.
The fire took hold of the roof space of two thatched cottages, before spreading to a third. Firefighters worked quickly to protect and save the fourth thatched property in the terrace.
The chimneys of two of the cottages collapsed during the firefighting.
Ten people from across the four properties were safe and accounted for.
At its height, 19 fire engines and 116 firefighters were tackling the flames.
Firefighters from Andover, Sutton Scotney, Stockbridge, Whitchurch, Overton, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Winchester, St Mary’s, Rushmoor, Totton, Alton, Fareham, Botley, Beaulieu, Fleet, Wickham, Redbridge, Hightown, Hartley Wintney, Newbury and Ludgershall were sent to the village near Winchester throughout the night.
Basingstoke’s aerial ladder platform and the environmental protection unit from Romsey were also in attendance.
Hampshire Police and South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) were on scene to support firefighters, where Bransbury Lane was closed for several hours.
The British Red Cross (BRC) were also requested to provide emergency support for the occupants.
Firefighters managed to recover as many of the occupant’s belongings as possible during a salvage operation.
At 04:00 it was scaled down to two pumps who remain on scene this morning to remove the thatch and protect the fourth cottage.
Three of the four cottages have been 100% destroyed by the incident, whilst the fourth remains safe and unaffected.
In daylight hours, an inspection of the affected properties will be carried out by an officer and an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) structural engineer.
Incident Commander Rob Cole said:
“thank you to all the emergency services who attended this unfortunate incident and worked hard throughout the night to save the properties and household belongings. Thankfully, there were no casualties and we’re pleased one of the cottages could be saved.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to our firefighters and control room staff, and also thank SCAS, Hampshire Police, BRC, and our border colleagues Dorset and Wiltshire and Royal Berkshire fire services for their support.”